Question

experimental design iii
which of the following statements is correctly matched to the step of the
scientific method?

multiple choice

a researcher reported that red-foot tortoises preferred
red-colored fruits and vegetables to those that were
green or white. (prediction)

adina set up mist nets to catch bats flying over a small
stream. each bat that was caught was weighed and
sexed. (observation)

biologists suggest that 2-3 cups of coffee per day can
decrease death rates among women. (theory)

for a research project on test scores, jayden divides
students into two groups: the first group sleeps 8 hours a
night, the second group sleeps 6 hours a
night (experimental design)

yente watched butterflies feeding in a large field of
wildflowers. she noticed that more butterflies
approached the yellow and purple flowers than the red
flowers. (hypothesis)

Explanation:

• Analyze Option A: Reporting a preference is a conclusion from data, not a prediction. A prediction would be a statement about what might happen, so A is incorrect.
• Analyze Option B: Setting up nets and weighing/sexing bats is part of data collection (experimentation), not just observation. Observation is more passive, so B is incorrect.
• Analyze Option C: A theory is a well - supported explanation. The statement about coffee and death rates is more of a hypothesis or a conclusion from a study, not a theory, so C is incorrect.
• Analyze Option D: Dividing students into groups with different sleep hours to study test scores is creating an experimental setup with independent (sleep hours) and dependent (test scores) variables, which is experimental design. This is correctly matched.
• Analyze Option E: Watching butterflies and noting flower preferences is observation, not a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a testable prediction, so E is incorrect.

Answer:

D. For a research project on test scores, Jayden divides students into two groups: the first group sleeps 8 hours a night, the second group sleeps 6 hours a night (Experimental design)